Christian Horner Reflects on the Controversial 2021 F1 Season
Christian Horner opens up about the contentious 2021 F1 title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. He acknowledges the drama and tension that unfolded, particularly during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale.
Christian Horner, former boss at Red Bull, has shed new light on the highly controversial 2021 F1 season, where Max Verstappen clinched the championship in dramatic fashion against Lewis Hamilton. While promoting his new book before the United States Grand Prix, Horner delved into the season that left fans polarized and tensions high among teams.
The 2021 season might well be remembered as one of the most contentious in F1 history. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were in a head-to-head battle throughout, with several on-track incidents and heated exchanges between Horner and his Mercedes counterpart, Toto Wolff. Speaking on the High Performance podcast, Horner recalled, "It became apparent to me at Barcelona that year that Toto had been speaking directly to Michael Masi," referring to the then-race director, which Horner viewed as undue pressure on the 'referee.'
The season had its share of fireworks at Silverstone, Budapest, and Monza, but it was the Abu Dhabi finale that truly stirred the pot. Verstappen's victory came on the final lap after a safety car restart, where only select drivers were allowed to unlap themselves. Horner admitted, "Lewis was the faster car on the day," acknowledging Hamilton's dominant performance for most of the race.
As the race neared its conclusion, a crash by Nicholas Latifi brought out the safety car, setting the stage for a strategic showdown. Red Bull, with little to lose, pitted Verstappen for fresh tires, while Mercedes opted to keep Hamilton out, banking on the race not resuming. Horner noted, "Then, of course, the race director then says that there’s going to be no unlapped cars, and then he changes his mind," leading to Verstappen's eventual pass and championship win.
Horner expressed understanding for the feelings of Hamilton's fans, stating, "Any Lewis Hamilton fan is feeling absolutely robbed." He also praised Hamilton's grace in defeat, highlighting how the Mercedes driver congratulated both Verstappen and Horner despite the heartbreaking finish. "My respect for him elevated at that point in time," Horner remarked, acknowledging Hamilton's composure.
The aftermath saw discussions with stewards and lawyers, further fueling the narrative of injustice among those who felt wronged. The 2021 season remains a talking point in F1 circles, illustrating the fine line between competitive spirit and controversy.